Collapsible tube capping machine



Aug. 16, 1932. v. KoENlGsHoFER 1,871,799

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24. 1930 e sheets-sheet 1 s1 Il 4946- 52 LUL@- .I I

ITI .t

I' I.|Il In.

a as

nvewwz e ml Aug. 16, 1932.

v. Kor-:NlGsHoFER y1,871,799

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24. 19:50V

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug- 16, 1932- v. Kol-:NIGsHoFER 1,871,799

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 16, 1932. 'v. KOEMGSHOFER COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CAPPING MACHINE Filedfdan. 24. 1930 6 sheets-sheet 4 2 ,9 7 3 2 6 2 w 4 2 7 0 l z 1 ..1 l 1 e v 1| mw SMV f Q xv 1f f 5. e l w 1w nu. 9 9 WHL M o mi, VMM WI l W .AIV f .I 6. ...Fw l l H1 e y/HMH: Z GIN 9 1 6 Allg- 16, 1932- v. Kol-:NlGsHol-ER 1,871,799

l OLLAPSIBLE TUBE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24,. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 79 ventoz T Aug. 16, 1932. v. KoENlGsHoFER COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24'. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Suvantoz FIGJO.

, Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES .PATENT oFFlcE VICTOR KOENIGSHOIEER, OF UNION CITY, NEW

v COMPANY OF AMERICA, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF Y coLLArsrBLE TUBE CAPPING MACHINE- Application led January 24,4 1930. Serial No. 423,018.

This invention relates to machines for applying -caps to thin walled containers, and more particularly, to machines for capping .collapsible tubes.

' Among the objects of the invention is to provide a machine that will apply a cap to a-l collapsible 'tube automatically.

. Another object of the invention is to provide, in a collapsible tube capping machine, mechanism by whiclivthe rotational movement required for screwing a cap upon the threaded neck of a tube may be caused to lautomatically cease upon the occurrence of invention which may be fully understood Fig. 7.

from the detailed description and drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of one side of the 'capping machine.

Figa 2 is an elevation of the rear of the capping machine.

Fig.- 3 is an enlarged front view of the upper portion of the capping machine. p Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view on line 4 -40f Fig. 1. FIIFig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of 1g. 4. Y A Fig.l 6 is a sectional view on line k6--6 of Fig. 4.

' Fig. Fig. 8. Fig.

7 is a sectional view on line 7 7 of 8 is asectional view on line 8 8 of Fig. `9 is a sectional view on line9-9 of Fig. 7 with parts broken away.

10 is a detail fragmentary showing of the sip connection between a mandrel and driving means therefor.

Figr 11 illustrates, in plan and with parts broken away,- the approach of a cap toa collapsible tube. g

- For disclosing my invention I have illus-` trated a machine having a turret carrying several mandrels upon which collapsiblel tubes may be mounted. The mandrels and tubes are brought to va cap-applying station, and there rotated. Asa mandrel rotates at JERSEY, AssIGNoR To Aiutrlirrlvuurl the cap-applying station, a cap-carrying device places a cap against the threaded neck of the itube and holds it there until the cap and the tube are assembled.' The cap-carrying device is then moved to a position where it picks up another cap which is to be placed uponl the next tub-e to be presented at the cap-applying station.

For conveniencev in describing the inven tion, the locus of travel of the cap-applying or cap-carrying device may be defined asextending between two stations.; a cap-receiving station from which a' cap is picked up by the cap-applying device, and a cap-applying station Where the cap is applied or afixed to the neck of a collapsible tube. 1

Referring to the drawings and particuare'freely rotatable on pins, 11, carried by turret, 12, which is mounted on a shaft, 13. Shaft 13 is journaled'in bearings, 14, 15, in the upper fixed frame, 16. Frame 16 is mounted upon the base, of lower frame, 17,

which, for the purposeof clarit or illus-v tration, is shown in dot-andash lines.

n larly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the mandrels, 10,

Power for driving turret shaft, 13, is derived from a motor, 18, and is transmitted through gearing 19, 20 to the driving element, 21, of a Genevalock. The Geneva driving element, 21, carries a singlel driving pin, 22, and lhas a locking surface, 23, which successively engages co-operating locking surfaces, 24, between successive engagements of pin, V22, with slots, 25, of the driven element, 26, of the Geneva lock. Since the driven element, 23, is ikefyed to shaft 13, turret, 12, which 1s also astened to shaft, 13, is driven intermittentlyeach time pin, 22,

engages a slot, 25. One slot, 25, is provided for each mandrel, 10, and the speed ratio of the gearing is such 'as to position the mandrels y. m0

successively at a cap-applying station 'suiii- I. ciently long to permit a cap be-screwed keyed to shaft 29 and is slidable axially thereon. The square jawed clutch, 28, is movable into and out. of engagement witha cooperating clutch element, v31, carried by gear,

32, which forms part of gearing, 20, and which is loosely mounted on shaft, 29. Clutch collar, 28, may be moved in and out of engaging relation with clutch element, 31, by means of a treadle, 33.V This motion is transmitted through link, 34, to lever, 35, which is pivoted at 36.- Clutch element, 28, is illustrated in Fig. l as being out of engagement with clutch element,31, and in this position gearing, 19, will operate idly and no movement will be transmitted to gearing, 20.

Having reference to Fig. 1, a roller, 3,8, is attached to, or may form part of Aeach mandrel, 10, and when a mandrel is opposite the cap-applying station it will be rotated` by means of a friction disk, 39, which contacts roller, 38. Friction disk, 39, is driven from a shaft, 40, between which and the friction disk there is a slip connection .which is adapted to discontinue the driving relation betweenshaft and friction disk 39. This 'slip connection, which is illustrated in detail in Fig. 10 and will be described hereinafter, is for the purpose of discontinuing the drive of mandrel, 10, under certain conditions. Shaft 40 carries a pinion 41 which meshes with gear 42 mounted so as to turn with shaft- 43.- Shaft 43 is driven continuously through.v a sprocket chain drive 44 which is driven from shaft 45. Y Shaft 45 carries the driving element 21 of the Geneva lock which rotates continuously while the machine is in operation.

The upper frame 16 carries a sliding-block guide rail uponwhich is mounted a crosshead or sliding-block, 47 Figs. 1, 3, 7, 8 and 9. Sliding-block 47 ,which is in the forln of 'a housing, has a dovetail connection, 48, with the guide rail 46 and the sliding-block mayV be slid along the rail by means o'f a stationary screw 49 which engages lnut 50 extending from the sliding-block. The screw 49 may be rotated by hand wheel 51 and when the sliding-block 47 .has been placed in a desired' osition along the guide rail 46 the wingeaded screw 52 may be tightened so as to4 hold the block in a xed position in relation to the rail.

Adjustability of the position of slidingblock 47, along screw, 49, is provided so as u to ,enable the machine to be adjusted for the purpose of adapting'it to place'caps uponv collapsible tubes of different length and whose necks extend different distances from the mandrel-supporting turret, 12. Block 47 carries the cap-applying device and its set` position determines the locus of travel of the cap-applying device as it is moved between forward and rearward'. limits as seen in. l

1 1. Sliding-block 47 also carries a super-structure 53 upon which is mountedthe journal bearing 54 for a` shaft 55. Shaft 55 has afixedthereto a hopper 56 in which caps'are placed. The rotation of hopper, 56, rcauses the caps to be delivered to the upper end of a chute, 57, Fig. 3, with the lopen end of the cap facing away from the hopper. Any well knowntype of hopper may be used for feeding caps to the chute. vShaft -is driven by means of a belt, 58, which engages a pulley, 59, attached to shaft, 43, Fig. 1. v

Shaft 43is journaled in bearings 60, 61,

-which are carried by sliding-block 47, and a collar, 62, which is pinned to shaft, 43, causes the shaft to move with the sliding-block when adjustment' ofthe position of the sliding- -block is being made. The rear end of shaft,

43, is slidable in bearing, 63, on frame, 16,

.and a spline, 64, is provided so as to maintain keyed engagement with gear, ,42, and sprocket-wheel, 65, for any axial position of,sliding-'block, 47 and shaft,-43, in. respect to frame 16.-r Gear 42 and sprocketwheel, 65, are restrained from lateral movevment by bearing, 63, and bearing bracket,

63a. Sliding-block, 47, is in the form of a housing Whose ends provide journal bearings for rock-shafts, 68, 69, Figs. 7 and 8. These rock-shafts form a part of the cap-applying device and they have affixed to their forward ends arms, 70, 71, respectively.

Y During a cap-applying operation rockv shafts, ,68, 69, rock towards each other asa cap is clasped by the jaws at the lower ends of these arms and they are rocked away from each other after a cap has been applied to the threaded neck, of a tube.

shafts 68, 69, are slidablymounted. in their journal bearings lso as to permit axial move- In order to l .move the arms, 7 0, 71, from a'cap-receiving position to a cap-applying position, rockroller, 75, engaging the surface of cam, 73.

Follower 74 bridges shafts-'68, (S9-'and carries them with it as the follower is moved when cam 73 rotates. The fixed relation of follower 74 andfof lshafts 68, 6 9, is maintained by collars'76, 77,78 and 79. A spring', 80,

its other end anchored at 81 tothe rear Wall of the sliding-block, 47, causes the cam roller havingone end secured .to follower 74, and

the rocking movements of shaft 69, a cam 88 is provided. This cam is'keyed to shaft 43,` and during its rotation it rocks an arm, 86,

which carries a roller, 87 bearingfupon-the surface of the cam, 88. Arm 86 is pinned to shaft 69 and as cam 88 is rotated,shaft 69 is rocked. Spring 112 at the lower ends of arms 70, 71 maintains the rollers ofV arms 84, 86 against their respective cams.

Since rock-shafts, 68, 69 are-movable in an axialdirection in relation to shaft 43, -I

have provided splines 89, on opposite sides.'

of shaft 43 for permitting axial movements of cams, 83, 88, in accordance with the axial movement of rock-shafts 68, 69.

. Cams 83, 88 are joined together by a member, 91, having a groove, 92, which is engaged on one side by a finger, 93, depending from the boss of the arm, 84, which is mounted on the shaft, 68, and is engaged on theopposite side by a finger, 94, depending from the boss of arm 86 which is mounted on shaft 69.

Since fingers 93 and 94 are pinned to shafts 68, 69 respectively, tlrey operate to cause member 91 and cams 83, 88, to be moped axially on shaft 43 when rock-shafts 68, 69 Iare moved axially under the influence of cam Chute 57, Fig. 3, delivers caps to'the vertical chute, 96, which is formed by front and rear strips 97, 98, and side strips 99, 100, Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The cross-sectional dimensions of the chute may be varied for the purpose of accommodating caps of different sizes. .Winged nuts 101, are provided-so that the spacing of side strips, 99, 100 may be changedwith ease, and the depth of the chute, 96, may be varied by using spacing elements, 102,I f different thicknesses to suit caps of different heights. Chute 96, is carried by super structure, 53, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The caps, 104, are vertically alined in chute, 96, with the skirt of each cap in contact with the inner edges of the side strips, 99,100. The lower cap of the string of caps in the chute rests upon a spring, 106, which is mounted line with the axis of a tube at the cap-applyi ing station.

The two arms, 70, 71,l of the cap-applying Y ldevice carry at their lower ends jaw plates,

108,109 which are affixed to the arms 7 0, 71,

by means of pin and slotv connections, 110,

111. These jawplates have curved clasping surfaces for engaging the skirt of a'cap, The two arms, 70,71, are biased toward eachv other by means of a spring, 112, which extends be' tween their lower ends and which causes rollers 85, 87 to continually bear upon cams 83,

88 respectively. g

As the cap-engaging 4deviceis brought by the action of cam, 73, to the cap-receiving station, a pair of ins, 113, 114, which are carried by arms, 70,71, respectively, are brought into contact with bail, 115. Bail, 115, is mounted so as to rock about rock-shaft, 116, which carries the two bell crank levers`117, 118, upon which bail, 115, is mounted. Bell crank levers, 117, 118, also carry a bail, 119,'

which is on the other side of chute 96. Bail, 119, has mounted thereon a rod, 120, whose lower end has a cap-engaging element, 121. Theupper end of rod, 120, is biased rearwardly and downwardly'by'a spring, 122, whose fixed end is anchored .to a pin, 123, eX- tending laterally from a bracket, 124. Rod, 120 is limited in its downward movement in respect to bail, 119, by collar, 126, and a spring, 127 is provided for normally miaintaining collar, 126-,in contact with bail, 119.

As rock-shaft, 116, is rocked clock-wise, Fig. 5, rod, `120, is caused to descend and the course of its lower end, 121', will be determined partly by the position of cam surface, 130, which is adjustable. As rod, 120, descends,lip 121 engagesthe inner' surface of the skirt of the cap reposing upon spring, 106,", and forces the cap downwardly `below spring, 106, to a position of rest upon table, 107.

'The action of rod, 120, causes the spring, 106, to be temporarily deflected a sufficient degree to permit the lowermost cap to descend to table, 107,'b1-1t it will immediately restore itself beneath the cap immediately above the one removed. n

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the arms, 7 0, 71, are rearward of the chute, 96, and if the arms are moved forwardly toward a position for engagin a cap on table, 107, pins, 113, 114, carried y the arms, engage bail, 115,v and cause the rod, 120, to descend and place a cap upon table, 107, where it may be picked up by the cap-engaging jaiws when arms, 7 0, 71, are permitted to approach each other under the action of spring, 112. Spring 132, having 'one end connected with bail, 119, will restore bail, 119, rod, 120, and bail, 115, to the positions illustrated in Fig. 5 when pins 113, 114, are withdrawn from contacting relation with bail, 115. After the cap-engaging device is .moved from the cap-receiving station, pins 113, 114, no longer contact with bai1'115.

Y 5. surfaces, 155, 156,'engage the skirt of the As referred to hereinabove, a slip connection is provided between the friction roller 39, and shaft 40, so as to permit discontinuance of the rotary motion of a mandrel, 10, after a cap has been screwed home upon the threaded neck of a tube. As may be readily seen in Fig. 10, the slip connection between shaft 40, and roller 39, consists of a slip clutch which may be easily adjusted for permitting slip to take place in accordance with the sensitivity desired.

Shaft, 40, has pinned thereto a pair of collars, 139, 140, between which is mounted a member, 141, which is free to rotate relative to shaft, 40, when slippage is occurring.

Member, 141, carries roller, 39. which is held in place by means of a pair of nuts, 142, 143, mounted upon the threaded hub of member, 141. Shaft 40, has an enlarged portion, 144, enclosed within chamber 145, of member, 141. A collar, 146, is loosely mounted upon shaft, 40, and is fixed in relation to member, 141, by means of set screws, 147, 148. A pair of springs, 149, 150, joined in series relation, are coiled about hub, 144, one end of spring, 149, being anchored in collar, 146, and one end of spring, 150, being anchored in member, 141. The arrangement is such that when shaft, 40, rotates, member, 141, and roller, 39, are carried therewith because of the frictional relation existing between springs 149, 150, and hub, 144.

As illustrated in Fig. 10, when shaft, 40, rotates downward, the tendency of the springs is to rotate with the shaft and therel by cause member, 141, to be rotated. It is apparent. that should friction roller, 39, be

of springs, 149, 150, and the continuance of rotation of shaft, 40, would tend to relieve all gripping action of the springs on hub, 144.

It will be appreciated that a gripping tendency of the springs may be Varied by changing the initial tension of the springs and provision for `accomplishing this is provided by the collar, 146, which may be adjusted ineither direction about shaft, 40, before the set screws, 147, 148, are tightened. The adjustment of the clutch is such that it will release and discontinue the drive of a mandrel as soon as a cap has been screwed onto a tube far enough to offer a certain desired resistance. I

The cap-engaging jaws of the plates, 108, 109, arearranged so as to engage the skirt of a cap and are provided with grooves, 152, 153, Fig. 11, so as to accommodate the ange, 154, of a cap. vThese grooves are provided to assure the proper closing of the cap engaging jaws upon a cap and are not intended` nal or round bordered flanges may be accommodated in this machine. The cap-engaging drive of a tube is accomplished through the frictional relation between the tube and mandrel. Thereis a possibility of a tube slipping on the mandrel or of slippage between roller 39 and disk 38 should the friction' slip vconnection fail to function at any time.

It is' apparent that the tube could be rotated by causing roller, 39, to directly contact the exterior surface of the tube, but s'ince such an arrangement might possibly cause the wrinkling or, twisting of thin walled tubes, I prefer to cause rotation of a tube by having roller, 39, engage the mandrel.

y Operation An operator places tubes on mandrels, 10, as turret, 12, is rotated step by step in a clock-wise direction, Fig. 3. Each movement of the turret brings a tube-carrying mandrel to the cap-applying station.

As soon as a mandrel carrying a tube is brought to a cap-applying station, friction roller, 39, which rotates continuously, contacts roller, 38, and causes the mandrel, and the tube Carried thereon, to rotate. While the tube is rotating, cam, 73, is permitting the cap-applying device, under the action of spring, 80, to approach the end of the collapsible tube. The arms, 70, 71, of the capapplying device carry a cap and place the same against the threaded neck of the tube and the rotation of the mandrel at the capapplying station causes the tube to engage the cap. After the cap and tube are engaged, cams, 83, 88, operate to rock arms, 70, 71, so as to release the cap. Subsequent to the release of the cap, cam 73 causes the rockshafts, 68, 69, to move to the left, Fig. 1, toward the cap-receiving station.

During their travel to the left, pins, 113, 114, carried by arms, 70, 71, respectively, come into contact with bail, 115, and cause bail, 119, Fig. 5, to be rotated so as to cause rod, 120, to displaceal cap from its position on spring, 106. The released cap is deposited upon table, 107, at the cap-receiving station. When arms, 7 0, 71, have reached their limit of travel toward the cap-receiving station they are permitted to approach each otherto pick up the cap on table, 107. This action is permitted by cams, 83, 88, and results from the influence of spring 112. Durino' this operation turret, 12, has rot-ated another step and will have carried a second mandrel and tube to the cap-applying position. When cam, 73, has rotated suiiicient-ly,

spring 80 will operate in conjunction Withcam, 73, toA cause the-cap-,carrying arms to move to the right and cause the cap carried thereby to engage the threaded neck of a tube.

As the tubes are capped they may be removed from their mandrels by an operator.

` The invention is capable of wide variation and relationship of parts without departure from the nature and principle thereof. I do not restrict myself unessentially in the foregoing or other particulars, but contemplate such alterations and modifications within the scope of the appended claims as may be found advisable.

What isclaimed is: l. Ina collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising means for holding a tube at a cap applying station, means.' for supporting a cap, and a capping devicesaid capping device comprising a pair of axially movable rock-shafts, arms carried by said rock-shafts, cap engaging jaws carried vby said arms, means for rocking said ,rockshafts to cause the jaws to engage a cap on said support, and means for moving said jaws so as to present lthe cap carried thereby to the threaded neck of a collapsible tube.

2. In a collapsible tube cappin machine, the combination comprisingmeans go al tube at a cap applying station, a cap receiving apparatus at a cap receiving station opposite said cap applying-station and axiallyv alined with the axis of the tube held at said cap applying station, a cap applying device movable between said two stations, said cap. lapplying device comprising'pivoted arms caring a tube at a cap applying station, a cap device movable between said twov stations, I U

' the combination comprising means for holding a tube at a cap applying station, a capv Asaid arms, means for rocking said rock-shafts receiving apparatus at a cap receiving station opposite said cap applying station and axially alined with the vaxis of'the tube held at said cap applying station, a cap applying saidcap applying device comprising spring pressed jaws for engaging-a cap, cam means controlling the closing of said jaws upon a capat the cap receiving station, and means of axially movable rock-shafts, arms carried by said rock-shafts, capengaging jaws on to engage a cap, and means for moving said rock-shafts axially to carry a cap to a capping station where the cap can engage the yneck of a collapsible tube.

rholding the combination comprising cap engaging means, means for moving said cap` engaging means to and from a capv receiving station i. engage a cap at the cap receiving station.

6. Ina collapsible tube cappingmachine, the combination comprising a pair of pivoted arms, cap engaging means carried'by said arms,means for moving said arms to and 5. In a collapsible tube capping machine,

from a cap receiving station and a cap apply- Y ing station, means for positively rocking said arms away from eachother after engagement. of the cap with the neck of a tube, and resilient means for causing said cap engaging means to engage and hold a cap, said resilient -means bein-g subject to the control of the pivoted arms by said last named means and permitted thereby to engage a cap at the cap 1 receiving station. l v

7. In a collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising means adapted to carry a cap from a' cap receiving station to a cap applying station to apply the cap to the L neck of a collapsible tube., means forfmoving said cap carrying means between said stations, and'means enabling a variation in the lociis of travel of said first namedmeans. j

8. Ina collapsible tube'capping machine, the combination comprising means for holding a tube at a cap applying station, a cap n receiving apparatus at a cap receiving station,

said apparatus comprising means for supporting a cap, means for carrying a cap between said stations, means. for actuating said cap carrying means, and means enabling variation of the position of saidV cap receiving station and cap carrying and actuating means in respect to the cap applying station.

9. In a collapsible tube capping machine,

receiving apparatus'at a cap receiving sta-- t1on sa1d.apparatus comprising means for supporting a cap, means for carrying a, capv plying mea-ns,means for controlling the actuation of said cap applying means, a cap receiving apparatus comprisin; vmeans for supporting a cap, and a crossead Asettable inv cap applying means, controlling means and p the combination comprising means for holdcap receivlng apparatus.

1.1.,In a collapsible tube capping machine,

` ing a tube at a cap applying station, a cap receiving apparatus at'a cap recelving station, said apparatus comprising a cap support, a hopper and a chute for guiding caps from said hopper to the cap receiving apparatus means for carrying a cap from said cap receiving apparatus tosaid cap applying station, and means enabling a change in the position of said cap receiving apparatus, hopper, chute and cap carrying means in respect to the cap applying station.- 12. In a collapsible tube capping machine,

. the combination comprising means for holding a tube at a. cap applying station, a cap re*- ceiving apparatus at a cap receiving station, said apparatus comprising a cap support, rock-shafts carrying arms having cap engagingjaws for carrying a cap from the cap receiving station .to the cap applying station, means for axially moving and for rocking said rock-shafts, and a cross-head. movable relatively to said cap applying station, said cross-head having means for movi-ng said last named means and rock-shafts with the cross-head.

13. In a collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising a chute for guiding caps from a hopper, means retaining a cap in said chute, a cap receiving apparatus at a cap receiving station, said apparatus comprising a cap support, tube holding means at la cap applying station, means movable between said stations for removing a cap from said support and for applying the cap to the tube, and means actuated by said last named means for causing the cap retaining means to release a cap and deposit the same at the cap receiving` stat-ion where it may be picked up by the said last named means.

14. In a collapsible tubeapping machine,

the combination comprising means for holding a tube at a cap applying station, a cap receivlng apparatus at a ca preceiving station, said apparatus comprising a support for a cap and cap applying means adapted to carry a capfromrthe support toY ,the cap@ applying. station, said cap applying means comprising replaceable plates havingA jaws' p shaped to grip t-he skirt of a cap.

15. In a collapsible tube capping machine,

the combinationcomprising means for holding a tube at a cap applying station, a cap receiving apparatus at a cap receiving station, said apparatus being axially alined with ,the tube, said cap receiving apparatus comfprisi'ng meansl for supporting a cap, with its axis alined with the axis of the tube, said supporting means being adjustable toaline caps of different sizes with the .axis of the tube,

and means for transferring a cap from said supporting means to the cap applying station.

16. In a collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising cap 'engaging means, means for-moving said cap engaging means from a capl receiving. station to a capv applying station, supporting means for a tube at the cap applying station, said supporting means comprising a rotatable mandrel engaging the inner surface of the tube, a roller on said mandrel, and rotary means adapted .to contact mandrel and tube.

17. In a collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising a turret carrysaid roller to rotate said ing rotatable mandrel for mounting collap- 'I sible tubes, means for rotating said turret' so as to present a tube bearing mandrel at a cap applying station periodically, means for transferring a cap from a cap receiving station toa tube at the cap applying station and into engagement with the neck of a tube, means for rotating the mandrel, power means for actuating said last named means, and a slip connection between said -power means and said last named rotating means enabling a discontinuance of the rotation of said mandrel, said slip connection having means whereby the maximum. torque transmitted thereby may be adjusted.

18. Ina collapsible'tube capping machine, the combination comprising a mandrel for supporting a collapsibletube, means for carrying said mandrel to a station where a cap maybe applied to a tube mounted on the mandrel, a cap-carrying device movable axially of a tube mounted on a mandrel at the cap-applying station, said cap-carrying the chute and the cap supporting means may be varied at will inrespect to the turret, a cap ,carrying device. movable between the l cap supporting means and the cap applying station, and means operated by said cap l carrying device forcausing a cap to be 4de- .posited'on the cap supporting means.

2 0. Ina collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising tube holding means, a iixed supporting frame therefor, a guide railextending from said frame, a slid'- ing block mounted on said guide rail, a hopper and chute carried by said sliding block,

and nieansenabling adjustment of the positioiili of said sliding block along said guide ra 21. In a collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising tube holding means, a fixed supporting frame therefor, a guide rail extending from said frame, a slid-A mg block mounted on said guide rail, a hopper and chute carried by said sliding block and a cap carrying devlce movable between said chute and tube holding means, said capcarrying device being mounted upon said slidin block.

22. n a collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising tube holding means, a fixed supporting frame therefor, a

guide rail extending from said frame, a sliding block mounted on said guide rail, a hopper and chute carried by said sliding block, a cap carrying device mounted upon said sliding block, means carried by said fixed supporting frame for moving said cap-carrying device between said chute and tube holding means, and means for positioning the sliding block along said guide rail.

23. In a collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising a table for supporting a cap, a chute, a vresilient member supporting caps in said chute, an element for removing a cap from said resilient member to deposit the same on said cap supporting table, said element having va lip for engaging the interior of a cap, andmeans for yieldingly guiding said element to cause the lip to engage the interior of a cap or to pass over a cap having no interior to be engaged.

24. In a collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising means for supporting a cap, and means for delivering caps to said cap supporting means one at a time, said delivering means including` an element engaging Within the interior of the cap and therefore capable of delivering tothe cap supporting means only caps which have their recessed sides facing in the same direction.

25. In a collapsible tube capping machine, the combination comprising a chute, means maintaining a cap within said chute, a table for supporting a cap, and means engaging within the interior of the cap for transfera cap from said chute to said table only ring if t e cap faces 1n a given direction.

In testimony whereof I hereto aix vmy signature.

VICTOR KOENIGSHOFER. 

